How Government Aid Factors Into Your At-Home Healthcare Costs

With the recent major and sweeping healthcare reforms, Americans are now covered against a plethora of healthcare costs. However, many Americans are still in the dark as to how these new laws can help alleviate their healthcare costs, especially in the gray area of at-home healthcare. Here are three ways that the government can help you cover the seemingly insurmountable cost of at-home healthcare. 

Medicare

Medicare can cover some or all of your at-home healthcare costs if you meet a certain set of criteria. To summarize, if you need less than intermittent care from a nurse, which is a maximum of 7 days per week, 8 hours per day of care for 21 days, then you are eligible for Medicare to cover at least part of your medical expenses. Also, Medicare will cover at-home physical therapy, speech pathology, and occupational therapy. Of course, your doctor and home healthcare provider will be able to provide you with specifics, but knowing what will be covered under Medicare before you start making phone calls will help you to better plan the entire process. 

Medicaid

Medicaid is different from Medicare with respect to in-home care, in that the main goal of the in-home programs associated with Medicaid is to keep people out of nursing homes for as long as possible. Also, in order to qualify for Medicaid to cover your in-home care, you must show a demonstrated medical need and inability to cover the costs yourself financially. The specifics are available on a state-by-state basis, and there are multiple outlets available for you to check your state's policies on Medicaid's role in covering your home health expenses.  

When You're Not Eligible

Unfortunately, government programs do have their limits, and some people may find themselves outside of the range covered by Medicare and Medicaid. If you need enough constant medical attention to require you to be hospitalized, then you are not eligible under Medicare for a subsidy for your home health care costs. Also, Medicare will not cover meal deliveries or 24-hour care at home, as well as a few other expenses that pop up when the need for home health care becomes apparent. 

Navigating the maze that is formed by the complex interactions between your home health care provider and the government can be tricky to say the least. However, knowing what you'll be paying for out of pocket is a huge step towards figuring out your healthcare plan, and can make the entire taxing process go much more smoothly. 

Talk to a company like Always Dependable to learn more about what at home healthcare costs your insurance may cover.